The Rise of Skywalker: A $500 Million Testament To Star Wars

For the most part journalists try to remain objective and impartial when it comes to their reporting. There are those times, however, that we slip into the “editorial” portion of the program and let our personal emotions and opinions flow freely. I am not immune; admittedly this piece will fall into that category, and you’ll see why momentarily. Notwithstanding, editorials are but one aspect of reporting. For some, though, it’s difficult to maintain a general objectivity. So when you call Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker a “disappointment” even though Episode IX has already made over a half a billion dollars domestically? It’s time for one reporter at Forbes to simply admit that he just hates Star Wars.

I’ve written about reporters’ negativity when it comes to Star Wars before. We get it, Scott. You don’t like Star Wars. But let someone who loves the franchise, despite its faults, explain a little something to you. Though you may cover the film industry, you don’t have the first clue when it comes to Star Wars. The Rise of Skywalker has made over a billion dollars world-wide. Half of that came domestically. It is not the first $500 million disappointment. Not by a long shot.

The Rise of Skywalker an achievement, not a disappointment

The first, commercial film screening occurred on December 28, 1895. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker premiered December 20, 2019, almost exactly 124 years later. In the span of a century and a quarter, there have been only fifteen (15) films to gross over $500 million domestically. Fifteen. Star Wars: Episode IX is one of them. You call that a disappointment?

Star Wars is far from perfect. From The Phantom Menace to The Last Jedi, even I have my issues with some of the storytelling. But I have, still and will forever love the Star Wars franchise. George Lucas created something that has resonated with fans for over four decades. Even those that hate certain aspects of Star Wars still embrace the franchise as a whole, and with good reason. What began in 1977 and culminated with The Rise of Skywalker is something unparalleled in entertainment. And no, the MCU doesn’t come close. Here’s why: Kevin Feige didn’t create the characters of the MCU. He took the stories and characters of Stan Lee and others and, admittedly, molded them into a multi-billion dollar franchise. But he didn’t create the lore and the appeal; it was already there.

Despite fan reaction to The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker transcended a divided fan base and became just the fifteenth film in the entire history if film to gross over half a billion dollars in North America. That’s not a disappointment.

That’s a testament.

Let us know your thoughts on Star Wars and The Rise of Skywalker in the comments below.

Source: Forbes